NC State's Institute for Emerging Issues Water Infrastructure Report Highlights
The Institute for Emerging Issues' Strategies for Strengthening Our Water Infrastructure report reinforces many of the challenges and opportunities facing communities across our region. As one of North Carolina's fastest-growing areas, our member governments continue to balance growth with the need to protect drinking water supplies, modernize aging infrastructure, and prepare for emerging...
Public Service Recognition!
During the month of May, we celebrate our Public Service Employees and all the hard work they do for our communities. The individuals below have been nominated by their colleagues for their incredible contributions to our region. Daryl Hedgspeth City of Durham Impact Team Manager - Environment & Street Services Daryl and his team are essential to us at Keep Durham Beautiful - they are the ones...
Budget Breakdown: Discretionary Funding & Organizational Capacity - Building What's Next
This is the second of three supplemental pieces to my Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Central Pines Regional Council Recommended Budget Message. These supplemental posts allow a deeper dive into three of the most pressing issues facing the organization over the next several years. Each piece will end with recommendations to the Board on how to address the issue over the coming year(s). - Lee Worsley, CPRC...
Budget Breakdown: At Capacity - The Future of Ombudsman Services
This is the first of three supplemental pieces to my Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Central Pines Regional Council Recommended Budget Message. These supplemental posts allow a deeper dive into three of the most pressing issues facing the organization over the next several years. Each piece will end with recommendations to the Board on how to address the issue over the coming year(s). - Lee Worsley, CPRC...
CPRC with Lee!
CPRC Executive Director Lee Worsley has a goal of visiting all 50 communities that are a part of the Central Pines Region. Follow along with this blog post as Lee tours the region! Stop #18: Town of Clayton Had a great meeting with Town Manager Rick Cappola, and we covered a range of important topics. Rick shared some exciting opportunities Clayton has to provide recreational services to its...
On the Ground for Mental Wellness: Highlights from the Wake Forest Mental Health Fair
Bringing Wellness to the Table: Reflections on the 2025 Wake Forest Mental Wellness Fair My name is Grace Berry, and I serve as the Lead for North Carolina Fellow this year for Central Pines Regional Council. I recently had the honor of representing Central Pines at the Wake Forest Mental Wellness Fair, held at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre. Hosted by the Town of Wake Forest and championed by...
Expiring Low-Income Housing Tax Credits: What's at Stake for the Central Pines Region
The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) has been the backbone of affordable rental housing since 1986, bringing thousands of units online across the Central Pines region. But a new challenge is emerging: within the next decade, many LIHTC affordability agreements will expire. What happens when these protections end — and what does it mean for vulnerable renters, local governments, and the region...
A Decade of LEE-dership!
Our fearless leader and Executive Director, Lee Worsley celebrates his 10 year anniversary with Central Pines Regional Council this month! At the time of his hiring, Jennifer Robinson, Town of Cary, was the Chair of the Board of Delegates and continues to serve on the Board today. Looking back on that experience, she shared, “We hired Lee with confidence that he would be able to help our COG...
Passage of One Big Beautiful Bill Act
Written by Strategics Consulting on behalf of Central Pines Regional Council Earlier this month, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 218 to 214 to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA or H.R. 1) as amended and passed by the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, July 1. The OBBBA is now headed to the White House for the President’s signature. President Trump signed the bill that delivers on many of his...
Counts, Estimates and Projections- A Primer from NC’s State Demographer
From Data Notes by Central Pines Rural Planning Organization (CPRPO) In a March 23, 2022 post, Dr. Michael Cline, NC's State Demographer provided an explanation of the difference between population count, estimates, and projections-- Dr. Cline started with "Every 10 years, the US Census Bureau conducts a census – a full count of the population, with the goal of counting everyone once, only one...
Propane and Compressed Natural Gas 101: A Cleaner Fuel Alternative
The transportation industry has benefited from moving toward a diversified and more efficient fuel solution. Propane and compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles are gaining traction as viable alternatives to gasoline and diesel. These fuels offer environmental and economic benefits, reducing reliance on traditional fossil fuels while lowering emissions. But what exactly are propane and CNG vehicles...
Durham Ride & Drive Events
Curious about Electric Vehicles (EVs)? Want to test drive one? Interested in the latest clean energy initiatives in the Triangle? Join us this spring for two exciting Ride & Drive events! Triangle Clean Cities is partnering with the City of Durham to bring electric vehicle test drives to two of Durham's biggest spring festivals: 1) Earth Day and 2) the Bimbe Block Party! These events offer a hands...